Willie Ralph Stockton

Willie Ralph Stockton, affectionately known as "Bo-Pete", was born in Thomasville, Georgia, on November 16, 1952, to Mr. Clyde Stockton and Mrs. Rosa Lee Stockton-Johnson.  He was the youngest of seven siblings. God, with His infinite wisdom, came unto his servant's hospital room to give him eternal rest on June 1, 2025. He transitioned from his earthly home to his heavenly home in Melbourne, Florida.  Willie was a product of the Thomasville School System.  He graduated from Thomasville High School (THS) in the class of 1971.  He was an active member of the THS Class of 1971 Alumni where he acted as vice president.  Willie married his high school sweetheart, Johnnie Mae Ross-Stockton, with whom he shared 52 glorious years together before his untimely transition to be with the Lord. They were blessed with two children. After finishing high school, Willie pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a member of the U.S. Air Force and retired at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E-8).  One of the many stories he would tell would be when he left Thomasville, Georgia to go to Jacksonville, Florida to enlist in the Air Force with several of his classmates, he knew he was going to make a career in the Air Force. He served his country distinguishably for 24 years. While serving his country, he and his family had the opportunity to travel to many places in the United States and abroad. Even though he was a man with lots of wisdom and knowledge, he gained even more expertise while serving in the military. After retiring from the military, he continued to serve his country at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC).  He retired from KSC after 20 years of supporting the space program. Willie was a 33-degree Mason and was a previous member of the Eugene C. Johnson 318 Mason Lodge in Melbourne, Florida.

Willie was known as a man with many talents, especially his skills as a carpenter.  He has reconstructed many homes throughout Melbourne, Florida.  He could build anything by using his God given talent.  A true visionary.

Willie was a man of great faith in God.  He was an active member of Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, Palm Bay, Florida, until his health declined.  He joined under the leadership of Dr. Harvey Riley.  For the past ten years, he was spiritually led by his pastor, Dr. Quintin P. Woods, Sr.  Willie was once named the Man of the Year during the church's annual Boys and Men Summit of Seven Conference.  Willie became known for his yearly Mother's Day Family and Friends Gathering at his beautiful property known as The Serenity Place. The idea came to him over ten years ago to gather male family and friends together and show their love and appreciation to the mothers on the Saturday before Mother's Day. There were up to 200 family members and friends who attended and could not wait for this yearly event.  Due to the pandemic and his declining health, he had to put the Mother's Day Family and Friends Gathering on hold.  May 11, 2024 will go down in history as his last time organizing the Mother's Day Family and Friends Gathering.  He desired to have this auspicious occasion one more time, not knowing it would be his last.
Willie leaves behind his precious memories and a legacy to many families and friends, including his beloved wife of 52 years, Johnnie Mae Ross-Stockton, and their two children, Jerrick Cologne Stockton and Andronica Lakish Stockton.  His only surviving sibling, Lillie Ruth Stockton, is also left to cherish his memory.  He is also survived by his grandchildren: Lashayta Stockton, Jerricka Stockton, Je'Boris Stockton, Kodi "Nikko" Taylor, Zion Yarbrough, Tierra Snider, Ronald Revels, and Brylen Yarbrough.  His absence is also felt by his godson, Tremall Mitchell. He was loved and will be missed by all his great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, the Ross family, his Melbourne Brotherhood, and nieces, Marilyn "Pencil" Walker and Regina McClendon Wimberly, who held a special place in his heart.  In addition, Willie's absence will be felt by his extended family, the Mother's Day Family and Friends crew, and numerous friends.

He will be reunited with his parents, Clyde and Rosa Lee Stockton; siblings: John Walker, Jr., Azzie "Sister" McNair, Alice "Red" McClendon, Clyde "Boo Boo" Stockton, Barbara Stockton; grandson Charles Crump, and his father and mother-in-law Willie James Ross and Ida Mae Massey-Ross.